Rail Failure Statistics: FRA Derailment and Defect Data, 2015 to July 2026
Rail failure statistics from FRA data: 990 derailments in 2025, 1.85 per million train-miles, and why broken rails and welds lead track-caused main-line wrecks.
Category
Railroad Safety & Compliance
3 articles
Transverse Fissure in Rail: Causes, Detection & Analysis
A transverse fissure in rail is an internal crosswise crack in the rail head. Causes, 70° UT detection, the 213.113 remedial table and how it differs from a DF.
Rail Inspection RFP by Track Class: How FRA Classes Set the Scope
A rail inspection RFP by track class: 213.237 test intervals, 213.233 visual frequency, excepted track, 213.113 actions and a mixed Class 2/3/4 example.